Key word for 2026-27 Arizona women’s basketball is ‘versatility’

The 2026-27 Arizona women’s basketball team met with local media on Wednesday afternoon. If there’s a theme for this year’s Wildcats, it’s “versatility.”

The word was used by one player after another when she was asked to describe her game. From bigs like Priyanka Ponnam, who talked about the ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot from outside, to wings like Jasleen Green, whose length makes her a promising defender as well as an offensive threat, the characteristic was a point of pride.

The versatility on the court is complemented by the diversity off the court. The team has players from five different countries, including the U.S., and seven states.

Even some of those born in the U.S. are looking to inspire others from their ethnic backgrounds to pursue their dreams. Priyanka ‘Pri’ Ponnam comes from an athletic family. Her mother played volleyball and ran track, but basketball is a rare passion among those of Indian background. While there are more women and girls of Indian descent who have played the sport than men and boys, Ponnam still hasn’t met many during her athletic journey.

“I’d probably say less than 10, maybe less than five,” Ponnam said. “But I just think it’s super important to me to strive for that because I haven’t, I didn’t see many people that looked like me growing up, and I didn’t really have someone to [model] my game after, to look up to. So being that for other Indian Americans, other Asians, to just know that someone like me can do that, and just being that role model for everyone else.”

The Asian contingent is larger on the Arizona roster than most places in the country. In addition to Ponnam, Sumayah Sugapong and Aliyahna ‘Puff’ Morris have talked about their desire to represent their Asian roots in the past. Sugapong represents her family’s heritage on the Philippine senior national team. Morris is also Filipina.

What might be less diverse this year are the lineups. Burke shuffled her lineups often last year, both between and during games. Much of that was by necessity simply because Arizona had so many players getting used to playing at the Power 4 level. Consistency was an issue at times.

While the season is still a month away, it looks like rotations are already starting to take shape for the Wildcats.

The first group consisted of Morris, Sugapong, Green, Makayla Presser-Palmer, and Gerda Raulušaitytė. The next group had Ponnam, Molly Ladwig, and Arynn ‘Simba’ Finley. Callie Hinder also subbed in.

“We’re trying to figure out lineups,” Burke said. “I think we’re close. This may be the deepest team I’ve ever had. To be honest with you, I think we’re nine to 10 right now. I’m usually a six to eight type of girl, so I really think we’re nine to 10 deep, and I really think this is a team where we’re bringing people off the bench that elevate us, and not bringing people off the bench because they’re a last resort type of option. So it’s really nice to know. We have enough to do it by committee, but we also have players that at any given time can go off for 20. So it’s been enjoyable. They share the ball. We don’t have anybody. We don’t have ball stoppers. We have a connected group that’s just collectively playing well together right now.”

Breanna Williams, Karolina Ułan, and Anastasiia Semenova sat out with minor injuries, but Burke said she expected all of them to be ready by the time the season starts.

“It’s what October right now, beginning of October, so we’re trying to be cautious with some things,” Burke said. “But you see Karolina over there, I mean, she’s a six-one-and-a-half guard. We didn’t have that last year, right? So yes, we got to get those guys healthy. I think they should be ready to go, if I had to guess, but the priority right now is not pressing them in practice situations when we need them here in a few weeks.”

Everyone is making an impression on Burke.

“I’m loving this group,” she said. “I got a smile on my face every day that I get to come in here and coach them. They’re high energy, talented, they’re together, they’re connected, and they listen, and they’re so coachable. So it’s been a really good experience. Obviously, you have your days, right? One day you think you’re winning a Big 12 championship, the next day you don’t know if you could beat a middle school team. That’s the part of the season we’re in right now. But I have so enjoyed this group, and I stand by that from day one to right now. It’s been a really really awesome group.”

There are those who stand out, though. Back in June, Burke said she thought the post would be a “by committee” group, but after summer workouts and the beginning of official practice, Raulušaitytė seems to be making a name for herself.

“The kid is so talented,” Burke said. “She’s so tough, hard nosed, and so versatile. I think if you look at us, we’re still probably a little bit smaller than maybe most in the Big 12, but we’re a lot more talented, and we have a much better basketball IQ. So Gerda is one of those. She may be the pleasant surprise of the team. I think she’s gonna be one of the best players in the Big 12 if I had to just make a hot take right now, because she can shoot the three, she can put it on the floor. She’s versatile defensively. She can guard inside out, which gives us the ability to do a lot of different things, but I loved her on film when I watched her at USC, and I love her even more in person. And you know, if you’re starting 14, 15 games at Southern Cal, you can play some basketball.”

The fans will have a chance to see the players in a practice situation on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. MST. The program is holding an open practice for season ticket holders. It will be followed by a Q&A with Burke and her players. RSVP is required.